Phil Hay explains why Archie Gray didn’t get longer Leeds United contract
Leeds United were not previously able to hand Archie Gray a longer contract due to the strict rules in place regarding players who are under 18.
That is according to Phil Hay, with the Elland Road ace having signed a new deal at the club in January [official Leeds United website, 16 January].
The midfielder, who has largely been utilised at right-back this season, turned 18 on Tuesday (12 March), with his new deal now having kicked in after that milestone, according to Hay.
“It was signed a while back,” Hay said on The Square Ball (15 March). “Around two months ago, I think it was January time when he agreed that extension. Our understanding at the time was that it would kick in when he turned 18, so they’ve got him on longer terms, so that runs until 2028.
“When you’re 17 and you’re first able to sign a pro contract, the rules on how long you can sign are very strict, so you can’t just give somebody a 10-year deal in the way that they would probably have loved to have given Gray a 10-year deal.
“But this now ties him down until 2028, which is a long, long stretch, by which time he’ll just about be into his 20s.”
Leeds United ace Archie Gray is shining brightly under Daniel Farke
Leeds are looking really good under Daniel Farke, with the manager completely turning fortunes around after the Whites looked down and out following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
It was a very tricky campaign in the top-flight last time out, but they look set to make an immediate return thanks to their superb displays in the Championship.
Several players have impressed, one of which is young star Gray, with the 18-year-old featuring heavily under Farke in all competitions.
He has already made a phenomenal 40 appearances this season, with his age making that feat even more impressive.
Gray has a long way to go in his promising career, but he is already shining brightly, with the Elland Road faithful fully aware of the very talented player they have in their squad.
Unsurprisingly, however, there is seemingly lots of interest in the youngster from elsewhere, with the Whites perhaps soon needing to fight very hard to keep hold of him, despite Gray having only just signed a new deal in West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, Ben Jacobs has shared what he was told about one international ace amid transfer interest.
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